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Saturday, October 23, 2004
MCIA told to check ‘arrogant’ workers
The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) is planning to build a new international port.
This, even after the authority spent P226 million on expansion and improvement of the existing Cebu International Port (CIP).
CPA General Manager Mariano C.J. Martinez said with the completion of a new international port, the existing facility can be used by domestic shipping lines.
“We need more domestic ports because there are new ports in the Visayas and Min-danao which are now interconnected with Cebu,” he said.
President Arroyo is promoting the roll-on-roll-off (ro-ro) terminal system (RRTS) to transport goods among different islands in the country.
The ro-ro system is deemed to reduce the cost of transporting goods since shipment owners do not have to pay arrastre and stevedoring fees.
Cargo vehicles can board ro-ro vessels and disembark directly upon arrival at the port.
CPA engineering services department manager Mario Tan said the P226 million was used to improve safety of passengers and cargoes at the CIP.
The CPA is rehabilitating 80 percent of its existing facilities at CIP to comply the International Standard for Port Facilities Safety (ISPS) Code.
Of the total amount, Tan said P209 million was spent on the expansion of the pier area to provide bigger space for loading and unloading of cargo.
The CPA spent P7 million to construct a passenger terminal building at Pier 3, and P12 million for the passenger terminal at Pier 1.
The terminals now have chairs and television sets and several stores.
Safety at the terminals is also provided by security guards, who ensure that only persons with tickets can get inside the facilities.
With these measures, Tan said robbery incidents at the port are a thing of the past.
Martinez said the CPA will continue enforcing measures in accordance with the international code on port safety despite complaints of officials and personnel of the Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration and the Bureau of Quarantine and International Health Surveillance. (EOB)
(October 23, 2004 issue)
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